Pope My Ride [OPINION]

From the credit where credit is due department, Pope Francis is practicing what he preaches. He has ditched the luxury cars favored by his predecessors, and has been traveling in a Ford Focus.

Francis has also decided against spending the summer in the luxury of the Papal summer home and called for the world’s religious leaders to live more austere lives. While he isn’t exactly living the meager life of simple monk, he can hardly be expected to sell off all the church’s assets and give the proceeds to the poor. Even these small acts of humility are a refreshing change and a step in the right direction.

It seems that it is having an impact too, as a Columbian priest has answered the Pope’s call and decided to get rid of his expensive ride.

Don’t hold your breath waiting for the leaders of the local mega-church or televangelists like Pat Robertson to follow suit. These are the people who insist on a literal reading of the story of Noah but apparently can’t figure out how to interpret “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”.

Maybe Pope Francis can ring old Pat up at his 11,000 square foot second home and explain that passage to him.